Android Annoyances

[ericdives]

I've got a couple and to a large extent I don't think they're specific to a device or manufacturer (although there's a couple of manufacturers that have fixed one of the issues I've listed). So I figured I'd start a thread about what you find annoying about what is otherwise a decent phone operating system.

These should be limited to issues with the default OS and its apps. And even if you can fix the issue with an app from the Market, it's still valid to list it as a shortcoming if it's something you think a default app or the OS should handle (though you might want to provide examples of where it does work that way).

• I hate that I cannot sort my non-Gmail emails into folders - I should at least be able to move an email out of my inbox into some folder other than my "deleted items".
• My wife brought it to my attention that the date on the icon for the calendar app doesn't change. You can find widgets in the Market to resolve this issue for you, but if you're not aware of it, you might go through life thinking every day was the 25th (they should have made it the 2nd, and it could have been Groundhog's Day every day).
• I can actually forgive to a certain extent the lack of the ability to customize a contact's incoming SMS tone, but it is a feature that would be most welcome (and is why, as much as possible, I use Handcent SMS over the default app).

These may be limited to the Samsung line, but I don't think they're that exclusive ...

Love your phone but have one feature that makes you grind your teeth or so aghast that you're speechless? Do tell!

 

[pceasar]

Noticed no one else had replied to this as yet, so figured I'd chime in.

- the fact that the default mail client only takes gmail accounts is pretty annoying, I have to install an entirely 3rd party email client to take up more memory and processor cycles. Plus I prefer the default client your original points not withstanding.
- not my issue but my buddy complains about the no proxy awareness for android.
- In general the default music players are feature poor I have to get like Mixzing to do the job, this I don't really mind but the functionality could be default
- Guess I cant necessarily blame this on Google but would like if there was a central and default way to update phones, like Google should give Samsung and the like a certain time period by which they must review the new OS build and send drivers and/or the latest OS with their customizations included. With the exception of HTC other manufacturers seem to lag and this leaves the android community fragmented and developers at a disadvantage. Andy Rubin spoke to this point not to recently why should a brand new phone come out with a year old release of the OS? Unfortunately companies like Samsung got your money already so they're off to create newer phones to get more money.
- some OS processes use up quite a bit of processor when idle sensor_ya and suspend service are often caught by watchdog using like 90% processor.
- I wish I had the ability to turn on or off notification bar icons, some I don't care for like the alarm clock icon, I know its on, I don't need it taking up precious real estate.
- the calendar notification tone cannot be customized WTH furthermore its quiet as heck?
- I personally think launcher pro should ship default on android, touchwiz is cool and all for those needing the close to apple experience but that's about it, launcher pro can achieve that look and many more, though like ADW I'd like to retain the side/ horizontal scrolling of the app draw.
- no fricking home button for the default browser what gives? As I was saying before I like to have the basics with the defualt apps so I don't have to download a different client/browser just to obtain that feature.
- Now this has nothing to do with functionality, but why doesn't Google advertise on the TV and feature an app or two? Android could use some exposure, when I show people what my phone is capable of they jump back in surprise like, wait this can do what my iPhone does. Yes really
- This is also not a feature thing but from what I keep hearing besides myself others find some terrible battery life, my captivate gets like 7 hours with moderate use. On a day full of meetings I get about 10 hours with my 1600mah. Hopefully Google can find a way to cut down on system battery usage in gingerbread, the let us weed out the battery hogging apps.
- I wish Google was able to set somewhat of a standard on how apps use memory and battery but its not too big a deal cause you can weed them out via feedback in reviews and phone usage.

Now please note I'm an true and true android fan because of the openness and was tired of being an apple sheep, but these are things I think Google could improve to near ultimate perfection. Also I'm on eclair so my comments are based on that, I've noticed froyo has fixed items I had issue with such as the inability to auto/prompt during market search I've heard it now suggests apps as you type the words. Also these are items based on the Samsung captivate.